Tim “Ripper” Owens Thinks Judas Priest Purposely Books Their Shows to Screw KK’s Priest

Everyone knows that it’s hard out there for a touring musician these days. Costs are high, logistics are a bitch, and you’re not even guaranteed to sell out with inflation fucking everyone in the wallet. But when it comes to KK’s Priest, vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens thinks the iconic heavy metal band Judas Priest is actively sabotaging their former bandmates’ project on the road.

That point of contention came about during a recent interview with Sense Music Media (as transcribed by Blabbermouth) in which Owens was discussing the current state of the touring industry while promoting his solo band’s upcoming tour in Australia. And while he spoke a lot about some of the difficulties that heavy metal bands face, Owens made an aside to somewhat accuse Rob Halford and the gang of purposely booking shows near wherever former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing‘s band KK’s Priest was playing.

“I think it’s just saturated with a lot of stuff. I mean, when we toured with KK’s Priest this last time, Iron Maiden was touring on the West Coast when we were touring, Judas Priest was touring, Megadeth was touring. Judas Priest, I think they might have made their tour just to play the next city when we were there on purpose, because we would play Canada, in Toronto, and then the next day they were playing in Niagara Falls, which is right down the street. But that’s how it is. So I think it’s really tough and it’s expensive. So what happens is everybody spends their 300 dollars on an Iron Maiden ticket and 150 or whatever Judas Priest is in America — Maiden’s probably 100 and something and Priest is probably 50 or something like that in America, I’m guessing — 50 or 60. But that becomes a lot of money. So it becomes expensive.”

Ripper’s not wrong about ticket prices being so damn expensive. It’s been a problem for a long time, but something tells me Judas Priest doesn’t have to follow their former guitarist’s band all over the place just to sabotage the guy. Seems a little conspiracy theory-ish if you ask me.